The Conversation: With Philip Cooper

On this episode of The Conversation, I sit down with Tamz_sez — a rising cosplayer and creative who’s making waves with her anime-inspired transformations and bold self-expression. From bringing fan-favorite characters to life to building a unique aesthetic through her Decora fashion page @tamz_decoraz, Tamz opens up about her creative process, her journey into cosplay, and what it really takes to...

In this episode of The Conversation, I sit down with Lynn, Syd, Jane, and Martina of Peach Blossom Idols—a rising idol group blending anime, cosplay, and performance into something entirely their own. We talk about how the group came together, the risks they took to build something from the ground up, and what it really means to create in a space that doesn’t always have a blueprint. From behind-t...

I sit down with voice actor and director Anthony Bowling for an in-depth look into the world of anime, performance, and storytelling. Known for his work in fan-favorite series like The Devil Is a Part-Timer!, Spy x Family, My Hero Academia, and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Anthony has built a career bringing unforgettable characters to life—while also shaping performances behind the sc...

In this episode of The Conversation With Philip Cooper, we sit down with legendary voice actor David Kaye—the iconic voice behind Megatron in Transformers: Beast Wars and Clank in Ratchet & Clank. From bringing unforgettable villains to life to mastering calm, calculated heroes, David Kaye has shaped some of the most recognizable voices in animation and gaming. In this conversation, we go beyo...

On this episode of The Conversation With Philip Cooper , I sit down with iconic voice actor Terrence Stone, whose work has left a lasting mark across anime, video games, and animation. Best known as the voice of Mayuri Kurotsuchi in Bleach, Terrence has built a powerful career bringing complex, intense, and unforgettable characters to life. From anime to major gaming franchises like Dynasty Warrio...

Kris Valkyrie joins The Conversation for a powerful and unfiltered discussion on identity, activism, and owning your voice in a world that constantly tries to define you. Known as the “Mistress of Misfits,” Kris is more than a pageant queen—she’s an activist, podcast host, and fearless storyteller who isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo. From hosting Da Poisonous Daily to speaking on real-wor...

In this episode , I sit down with actress and voice-over artist Cricket Leigh, best known as the voice of Mai from the iconic series Avatar: The Last Airbender. We dive deep into her journey from theater stages in Chicago to studying at New York University Tisch School of the Arts, and how her training helped shape her approach to acting across stage, screen, and voice-over. Cricket shares what it...

I sat down with voice actor Jason Douglas (Beerus in Dragon Ball Super, and roles in Fullmetal Alchemist) for a conversation that goes way deeper than you’d expect. We talked about his journey into voice acting, what it takes to bring characters like Beerus to life, and how different projects—from the high-energy world of Dragon Ball Super to the emotional depth of Fullmetal Alchemist—shape his ap...

What does it really take to become a real-life mermaid? In this episode, I sit down with Mermaid Jacy, a professional mermaid performer, instructor, and storyteller who has turned fantasy into reality. From performing at live events to teaching others how to move underwater, Jacy gives a behind-the-scenes look into a world most people only imagine. We dive deep into the discipline, creativity, and...

In this episode, I sit down with Des, also known as FunF3ttiCake—a cosplayer, collector, and lifelong fan of nerd culture. From growing up loving Pokémon, magical girl anime, and Kirby, to building a unique identity through cosplay and kawaii fashion, Des shares her journey of creativity, self-expression, and finding where she truly belongs. We dive into her cosplay evolution, the meaning behind h...

In this episode of the podcast, I sit down with Vienta Bees — a queer, nonbinary, mixed Vietnamese Canadian cosplayer, streamer, slam poet, and content creator. We talk about their journey into cosplay and streaming, building a community centered on growth and education, and how creativity can become a powerful form of self-expression. Vienta also shares insights on navigating life as a chronicall...

In this episode of the podcast, I sit down with veteran voice actor Steve Kramer to talk about his long career in voice acting and the many iconic characters he has brought to life. Steve has voiced a wide range of characters across anime, video games, and animation, including Zenigata in Lupin the Third , Shunsui Kyōraku in Bleach , Supreme Kai and Shenron in Dragon Ball Z , and Captain Anderson...

In this episode, I sit down with Hannah Rivera, the artist behind RiveraRarities, whose work blends vintage restoration, insect preservation, and storytelling into hauntingly beautiful pieces of art. Originally starting as a traditional 2D artist working with acrylic and charcoal, Hannah eventually rediscovered her creativity through the fascinating world of oddities and curiosities. Inspired by t...

In this episode, I sit down with illustrator, model, content creator, and sales professional Darlene Pham for a conversation about identity, ambition, and building something that stands on its own. Being connected to acclaimed pop culture artist Dominic Glover comes with proximity to creativity — but Darlene is carving her own lane. From expressing herself through illustration to navigating the po...

As Black History Month comes to a close, this panel stands as a powerful reminder that legacy isn’t just written in history books — it’s spoken, performed, and lived through the voices that shape the stories we love. I had the honor of moderating an incredible conversation with Kevin Thelwell, Darius Johnson, Cedric Williams, Jalen Askins, Bill Butts, and Daniel Walton — six talented Black voice a...

In this episode, I sit down with John Swasey, the voice behind one of anime’s most iconic and calculating villains, All For One from My Hero Academia. We explore the craft, psychology, and responsibility of bringing such a powerful antagonist to life. John shares insight into his approach to voice acting, how he builds presence through restraint, and what it means to portray a character defined by...

In this episode, I sit down with voice actor Cory Yee to talk about his journey from working behind the scenes in film production to becoming the voice behind some of anime and gaming’s most memorable characters. Cory is best known for his roles as Gorou in Genshin Impact, Akito in Ghostwire: Tokyo, Sigma and Bram Stoker in Bungo Stray Dogs, Inui Seishu in Tokyo Revengers, Ash in Code Geass: Rozé...

This week on the podcast, I sit down with fine art photographer and gallery owner Lenny Foster for a powerful conversation about legacy, spirituality, and preserving history through art. For over two decades, Lenny owned and operated The Living Light Photography Gallery in Taos, New Mexico. His work is now part of permanent collections in institutions such as the Muhammad Ali Center and the Snite...

In Part 2 of the Black Creators Panel, the conversation continues — this time with Elizabeth Collins, JeyHighDef, and myself. While Abby Burkholder and ZelliousCosplay were originally scheduled to be part of this session, this discussion became a more focused continuation following Part 1. We dive deeper into creativity, representation, and the realities Black creators face within pop culture spac...

In Part 1 of my first-ever Black Creators Panel, I sit down with four incredible creators who are carving out space, building community, and redefining what creativity looks like online. This conversation features LolaKurosaki, DestinySiren, OnyxCosplays, and EvolvingBri, as they share their experiences as Black creators, their creative journeys, and what it means to show up authentically in digit...

In this episode, I sit down with voice actor Jayme Mantos, a Virginia native raised on musicals, Robin Williams movies, and fried chicken. Jayme and I talk about her journey into voice acting and how her background in theatre, improv, film, and television shaped the emotionally grounded performances she brings into the booth. We dive deep into her work as Ivy McLeod in the critically acclaimed gam...

In this special episode, I’m joined by the legendary voices behind Naruto’s Team Guy for an unforgettable panel conversation. Danielle Judovits (Tenten), Brian Donovan (Rock Lee), Steve Staley (Neji Hyuga), and Skip Stellrecht (Might Guy) come together to reflect on the characters that shaped an entire generation of anime fans. We dive into:How each of them was cast and connected with their charac...

This conversation with Nox Falls centers on burlesque as an art form rooted in control, storytelling, and identity. We discuss creative process, performance philosophy, and the responsibility that comes with visibility as a Black performer shaping space in the burlesque world. #NoxFalls#Burlesque#BlackCreatives#PerformanceArt#PodcastInterview

In this episode, I sit down with Alexis—better known as Baby Tattzz—a Black tattoo artist, mother of two, and creative who is redefining what it means to feel seen in the tattoo chair. From celebrating Black and Brown skin to creating timeless, meaningful art, Baby Tattzz shares her journey, her passion for tattooing, and the importance of representation, comfort, and connection in her work.#Tatto...

In this powerful conversation, we’re joined by voice actor, writer, and performer Kayla Temshiv for an in-depth discussion on identity, courage, and storytelling through voice. Kayla opens up about her creative journey across anime, radio, audio drama, and stage, including her emotionally resonant radio play To Those of You Listening Back Home. We dive deep into how voice alone can carry truth, vu...